Services to Schools

Services to SchoolsExplore this section

Ocean Conservation

Aotearoa New Zealand has a historic connection with the sea. Find information about some of our major marine concerns and what is being done to conserve and protect our ocean environments. SCIS no: 1908761

Filter by media type

Filter by keyword

Display as

All items

Seal cubs

Photographs of seal cubs on rocks at Kupe's Pool, Wairarapa. Arrangement: Files were originally delivered to the library within a folder called 'Animals ' Quantity: 2 digital photograph(s).

NZAEE Seaweek 4–12 March 2024

Events and resources to celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand's connection with the sea.

Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana 2024

Get involved in a range of activities, opportunities, competitions, and actions to enable students and the wider community to connect with our seas.

For Seaweek and beyond

Unit plans and other teacher support materials from Science Learning Hub.

Oceans

The world or global ocean is a large body of salt water that covers the earth. It is divided into 5 oceans — Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean (Antarctica...

Hector's Dolphin

Hector's Dolphin

Approximately 30 dolphins in total, feeding apparently

'The Sea: A Place to Live' artwork, 1980

'The Sea: A Place to Live' artwork, 1980

World Oceans Day is observed around the world each year on 8 June. On this day people across the planet celebrate and honour the ocean, and use the day to educate people about the importance of the...

Ocean education

National Geographic has resources, activities and toolkits at various levels to learn about the ocean and ocean-related environmental issues.

Marine mammal conservation

The role of the Department of Conservation in whale strandings, dolphin and whale watching, fishing and international obligations.

Ocean conservation

PEW's ocean work includes creating marine reserves, ending illegal fishing, and establishing policies to protect ocean ecosystems.

Protecting our marine environment — information for students

Learn about the threats to Aotearoa New Zealand's marine environment and what are the laws to control and stop this.

The Plastic-free Challenge. Curriculum level: 2: November 2018

Room 5 at the Motueka South School are determined to take action against ocean pollution.

The Impact of plastic pollution on our oceans

Nurdles — plastic pellets that pollute the sea

Nurdles the tiny, factory-made pellets that form the raw material for every plastic product that we use are wreaking havoc on our oceans.

The Plastiki

Its no ordinary catamaran. It's a message in 12-thousand plastic bottles and has nearly finished it's 11 thousand nautical mile journey from Sausalito California to Sydney where it's due to arrive ...

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The large concentrations of marine debris are formed by rotating ocean currents called gyres.

Samoa continues to find ways to manage plastic litter

Samoa continues to find ways to manage plastic litter

With a number of Pacific countries banning plastic bags in response to plastic litter pollution in the ocean, Samoa continues to face a dilemma on how to manage their waste.

Sea Mammals

Digital cartoons by Mark Winter on political and social issues in New Zealand and internationally published in the Southland Times. Shows a whale with an unattributed quote written above reading "W...

United Nations World Oceans Day

The official United Nations website for the annual World Oceans Day.

Attenborough's message for World Oceans Day

Sir David's message stresses the importance of the oceans and how they effect everything living on Earth.

World Ocean Day

All you need to know about World Ocean Day celebrated internationally on 8 June.

Marine studies centre

Marine theme activities for children, educators and everyone else interested in marine education and conservation.

Protecting our marine world

This resource from the Department of Conservation is about how to protect our unique marine environment.

The marine world and Te Ao Māori

Learn about Māori ocean conservation measures and tikanga.

Maori hold key to conserving fish - PEW

An international environmental organisation says Maori and Polynesian cultures hold the key to conserving fish species in the Pacific Ocean.

Ocean pollution – the human connection

This unit is designed to introduce students to watersheds, computer mapping tools (Google Earth), and ocean currents through a discussion of ocean and water borne pollution.

Helping kids help the ocean

Suggestions and projects to inspire kids to make a difference in caring for the ocean.

Young Ocean Explorers

Our vision is to create generational change by connecting hearts and minds with the importance of enjoying and caring for our oceans.

The multiple-use marine park for conservation and protection of Cook Island's marine environment.

Bill Riley's art from waste

Bill Riley's art from waste

Christchurch abstract artist Bill Riley collects rubbish from the beaches where he goes surfing - so much rubbish, that he's weaving it into his latest art exhibition to make a point about ocean po...

Govt checking Rocket Lab for ocean litter

Govt checking Rocket Lab for ocean litter

A NIWA report has found the ecological impact of jettisoned rocket debris is less than pollution from the fishing industry, but a build-up of debris on the ocean floor from repeated launches could ...

Atomic test era tomb leaking in to the Pacific

Rising sea levels have sparked new concerns about a nuclear waste dump 5000 kilometres north of New Zealand.

Blue Charter on Ocean Governance adopted at CHOGM

The 53 Commonwealth nations have adopted the Blue Charter on Ocean Governance, as the leaders' summit ended in London, Friday 20 April.

Ocean Acidification - What does it mean for Shellfish?

Ocean Acidification - What does it mean for Shellfish?

This video has been produced to highlight ocean acidification as a potential issue affecting the NZ shellfish aquaculture industry. The video is a direct result of the collaborative NZ-US workshop ...

Acts and treaties

Ocean and marine life protection acts and treaties.

Marine conservation: Pollution

By international standards New Zealand’s coastal waters are relatively clean, although in areas close to larger centres they are more polluted. Little is known about the state of waters beyond the ...

Mercury study prompts warning over Pacific fish diet

People in the Pacific are being advised to avoid certain fish after a study revealed high levels of mercury in hair samples from the region.

Saving mussel beds with a bi-cultural approach

Māori knowledge and western science are being combined to save disappearing mussel beds in an eastern Bay of Plenty harbour.

The cooking of coral reefs

Coral bleaching event attributed to warmer and more acidic oceans.

Smith, Hayden James, 1976-:[Japanese whaling operations] 24 February 2011

Smith, Hayden James, 1976-:[Japanese whaling operations] 24 February 2011

The whaling protest ship, the 'Sea Shepherd' has chased a Japanese whaling ship away and a pod of whales shouts 'hooray' but below another pod of whales have beached themselves and a seagull consid...

Dead zones in the oceans

Ocean expert Nancy Rabalais on the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.

Weapons of war litter the ocean floor

Tonnes of chemical weapons were dumped in the oceans between 1919 and 1980.

Research papers

Māori marine economy: A literature review

Creating a world-leading Indigenous blue marine economy.

Discusses cleaning up and the technology used to clean up the ocean, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Sources of oil spills in Northland, New Zealand, why we need to care and what can be done about it.

Human impacts on marine environments

It’s not only our activities in the marine environment that affect life in the sea – it’s also the things we do on land.

Gulf of Maine removal project

Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) removes inactive fishing gear from Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine.

Organisms in ballast water

Organisms in ballast water

There is increasing concern over the state of the oceans, and introduced marine pests are a serious threat. Noxious organisms are often carried across the world in the ballast water of ships. When ...

Scientific Research. "The average whale has 20-30 kg of plastic in its guts - so we could argue that we're recycling AND cleaning up the oceans"

Recycling and cleaning up the oceans

With so much plastic in our oceans, there have been endless reports of marine life dying after ingesting plastic they have mistaken for food. The men on board this Japanese ship argue that they ar...

A fishy tale from the Gulf of Mexico - "It's either a solar eclipse or we're swimming in a giant oil spill." 3 May 2010

A fishy tale from the Gulf of Mexico

These fish in the Gulf of Mexico wonder if the darkness that surrounds them is due to a solar eclipse or worse, a giant oil spill. In fact, it was an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010,...

Bromhead, Peter, 1933- :The South Pacific. 1 June 1981.

Radioactive poison in the Pacific

A Pacific man despairs as he looks at the container of radioactive poison that he has received from France. This radioactive material is the result of testing nuclear weapons by the French on Murur...

OECD work for a sustainable ocean

Read about OECD and its research and policies on ocean conservation and sustainability.

Teens use STEM to combat ocean pollution

Top designs include a robot that collects waste on beaches, and a prototype that filters pollutants from seawater.

London Convention and Protocol

One of the first global conventions to protect the marine environment from human activities. It has been in force since 1975.

Fishing and aquaculture in Aotearoa

The Ministry for Primary Industries has rules and policies around aquaculture and the sustainability of our wider aquatic environment.

Tangaroa – the sea

The spiritual significance of moana to Māori.

Looking after Aotearoa New Zealand's marine diversity

WWF-New Zealand's has programmes to protect the Kermadecs, Hector and Maui dolphins, seabirds and more.

Aotearoa New Zealand marine report from Stats NZ

'Our marine environment report 2019' highlights climate change and other pressing issues facing our oceans and coasts.

Ocean study and conservation

Explore stories about the law of the sea, coastal erosion, marine invaders and marine conservation.

'Blue Planet' Music Video

“Blue Planet” is a song on the Oceans Are Talking CD, produced by musician Sam Lardner.

‘Reimaanlok’ — ocean conservation in Marshall Islands

A World Bank initiative to support the Marshall Islands Marine Resource Authority in community-led conservation programmes.

10 ways to help save the oceans

Lifestyle choices that can help protect and restore our oceans for the future.

What is a gyre?

Learn about the gyres, their impact and what you can do.

Coral gardening

Check out this awesome doco on the conservation efforts by fisherman in the Pacific Ocean!

Calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs

Calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs

An oceans advocate calls for more Pacific representation in conservation orgs.

Reducing deaths of seabirds

Find out about the plan of action to protect seabirds from accidental death and injury from fishing gear used by fishing vessels.

Project Jonah — Whale rescue stories

Read about the experiences of those who joined in to save distressed whales stranded along the coasts of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Threat Management Plan for Hector's and Māui dolphin

Led by DOC and Fisheries New Zealand, the plan is to ensure these dolphins are resilient and are able to thrive in their natural marine environment.

Ocean acidification — NIWA looks for solutions

Explore the research carried out by NIWA and its partner on this global issue.

Preventing marine pests from arriving

Pest fish species in our marine ecosystems, their impact and how this is being controlled.

Marine protected areas map

Map showing Aotearoa New Zealand's marine reserves, parks and protected areas.

Marine reserves A–Z

A list of marine reserves in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Cleaning up the oil spill

Use of dispersants and other methods of oil clean-up.

Find more information on ocean conservation on EPIC. Databases recommended: New Zealand Geographic, Environmental Studies, Global Issues. School login maybe required.

Top results for Ocean Conservation from AnyQuestions

Oceans

Oceans

The world or global ocean is a large body of salt water that covers the earth. It is divided into 5 oceans — Pacific...

Senior Primary

Seas

Seas

Seas can be partly enclosed by land or completely enclosed by land. Some seas are part of an ocean like the Tasman...

Senior Primary

Conservation (New Zealand)

Conservation (New Zealand)

Conservation is about preserving and protecting New Zealand's natural environment, wildlife and their habitats...

Junior Secondary

Rocky shore (New Zealand)

Rocky shore (New Zealand)

The rocky shore is a unique part of New Zealand's coastline and is a habitat which is home to many sea creatures, and...

Senior Primary

See all 18 related entries on AnyQuestions